On Sunday, an SUV driver was killed and a passenger seriously injured when their vehicle struck a fuel tanker carrying 8,000 gallons of gasoline, sparking a major fire on Interstate 287 near Metuchen. The New Jersey State Police said the northbound SUV crashed into the rear of the tanker, which was being hauled by a tractor, near milepost 1.9.
The impact engulfed all three vehicles in flames, which grew in intensity and size, fueled by the contents of the tanker, authorities said. The massive fire shut down multiple nearby roads for hours, prompting Rutgers University to delay commencement ceremonies. The SUV driver was killed in the collision, and the passenger was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The tractor operator was uninjured, police said.
Cleanup efforts continued into Sunday evening. Officials said crews contained all fuel spilled on I-287, and it posed no threat to the local community or environment. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Middlesex County hazmat officials responded to track potential runoff and fully drained the tanker of any remaining fuel before towing the wreckage.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the New Jersey State Police.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, our experienced car accident lawyers at Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo L.L.P. can help. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 732-247-3600 or submit our online form. With office locations in New Brunswick, Somerville, and Manalapan, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.
